In number theory, a deficient number or defective number is a positive integer n for which the sum of divisors of n is less than 2n. Equivalently, it is a number for which the sum of proper divisors (or aliquot sum) is less than n. For example, the proper divisors of 8 are 1, 2, and 4, and their sum is less than 8, so 8 is deficient.
Denoting by σ(n) the sum of divisors, the value 2n – σ(n) is called the number's deficiency. In terms of the aliquot sum s(n), the deficiency is n – s(n).